Cooling apparatus for graphic cards

ABSTRACT

A cooling apparatus for graphic cards is used for two graphic cards that are disposed in parallel. There is a receiving space between the two graphic cards. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards includes a first base, a first cooler, a plurality of first heat pipes, a second base, a second cooler, and a plurality of second heat pipes. The first base is located on the first heat-emitting element of the first graphic card. One end of the first cooling pipe extends through the first base, and the second end of the first cooling pipe extends through the first cooler. The second base is located on the second heat-emitting element of the second graphic card. Thereby, the cooling apparatus for graphic cards can be applied to a plurality of graphic cards. The heat is simultaneously exhausted for both cards and the space is reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus for graphic cards. In particular, this invention relates to a cooling apparatus for graphic cards that exhausts heat generated from a plurality of graphic cards.

2. Description of the Related Art

As 3D computer games or high quality dynamic image process technology becomes popular, the image processing speed of computer systems also increases to process the vast amount of data. For a computer system, a graphic card is used for processing the images. In order to increase the image processing speed, the computer system usually is installed with a plurality of graphic cards to enhance the image processing ability of the computer system.

However, the cooling apparatus of the prior art is installed on the single graphic card. When the computer system usually is installed with a plurality of graphic cards, each of the graphic cards also needs to be installed with one cooling apparatus. Therefore, the total dimensions of the cooling apparatuses are huge and occupy the interior space of the computer system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One particular aspect of the present invention is to provide a cooling apparatus for graphic cards which cooperates with a plurality of graphic cards. The cooling apparatus is installed in the space between the graphic cards to cool the graphic cards.

The cooling apparatus for graphic cards is used for a first graphic card and a second graphic card that are disposed in parallel. There is a receiving space between the first graphic card and the second graphic card. The side of the first graphic card that is close to the receiving space has a first heat-emitting element. The side of the second graphic card that is opposite the receiving space has a second heat-emitting element. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards includes a first cooler located in the receiving space at the side of the first heat-emitting element of the first graphic card, a plurality of first heat pipes, and a plurality of second heat pipes. Each of the first heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal. The heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the first heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal plugs into the first cooler. The second heat pipes are curved and disposed over one end of the second graphic card. Each of the second heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal. The heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the second heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal plugs into the receiving space.

The present invention also provides a cooling apparatus for graphic cards used for a first graphic card, a second graphic card and a third graphic card that are disposed in parallel. The second graphic card is located between the first graphic card and the third graphic card. There is a first receiving space between the first graphic card and the second graphic card, and a second receiving space between the second graphic card and the third graphic card. The side of the first graphic card that is close to the first receiving space has a first heat-emitting element. The side of the second graphic opposite the first receiving space has a second heat-emitting element. The side of the third graphic card opposite the second receiving space has a third heat-emitting element. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards includes a first cooler located in the first receiving space at the side of the first heat-emitting element of the first graphic card, a plurality of first heat pipes, a third cooler, a plurality of third heat pipes and a plurality of second heat pipes. Each of the first heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal. The heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the first heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal plugs into the first cooler. The third cooler and a third base are respectively located at the two opposite sides of the third graphic card, and the third cooler is located in the second receiving space. The third heat pipes are curved and disposed over one end of the third graphic card. Each of the third heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal. The heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the third heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal extends into the second receiving space and plugs into the third cooler. Each of the second heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal. The heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the second heat-emitting element, and parts of the second heat pipes are curved and disposed over one end of the second graphic card and the condensing terminals plug into the first receiving space. The condensing terminals of the other second heat pipes extend through the third cooler.

The present invention has the following characteristics. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the present invention cools the plurality of graphic cards, without increasing the dimension of the cooling apparatus. The required space for the cooling apparatus is reduced, and the available space of the computer system is large.

For further understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description illustrating the embodiments and examples of the invention. The description is only for illustrating the invention and is not intended to limit of the scope of the claim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings included herein provide a further understanding of the invention.

A brief introduction of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is an assembly perspective view of the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of elements installed on the first graphic card of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembly perspective view of elements installed on the first graphic card of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of elements installed on the second graphic card of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an assembly perspective view of elements installed on the second graphic card of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an assembly perspective view of the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an assembly perspective view of the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to FIGS. 1˜5, which show the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the first embodiment of the present invention. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards is used for the first graphic card 10 and the second graphic card 20 that are disposed in parallel. The first graphic card 10 and the second graphic card 20 are installed in a computer system (not shown in the figure). There is a receiving space A1 between the first graphic card 10 and the second graphic card 20. The side of the first graphic card 10 that is adjacent to the receiving space A1 has a first heat-emitting element 101 (referring to FIG. 2). The side of the second graphic card 20 opposite the receiving space Al has a second heat-emitting element 201 (referring to FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the first heat-emitting element 101 and the second heat-emitting element 201 are the Graphics Processing Units (GPU).

The cooling apparatus for graphic cards includes a first metal plate 11, a first base 12, a first covering board 13, a first cooler 14, a plurality of first heat pipes 15, a second metal plate 21, a second base 22, a second covering board 23, a second cooler 24, and a plurality of second heat pipes 25.

Reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 3. The first metal plate 11 is made of a heat-conductive metallic material. The center of the first metal plate 11 has a through hole 111. The first metal plate 11 is installed at the front side of the first graphic card 10 for cooling the electronic components on the first graphic card 10.

The first base 12 is made of a heat-conductive metallic material, and is rectangular. The first base 12 passes through the through hole 111 of the first metal plate 11 and is stuck onto the surface of the first heat-emitting element 101 to absorb the heat generated from the first heat-emitting element 101.

The first covering board 13 is made of a metallic material, and is locked onto the first metal plate 11 by a screw-locking method. The inner surface of the first covering board 13 contacts the surface of the first base 12 to fasten the first base 12.

In this embodiment, the first cooler 14 is a cooling fin set. However, it is not limited to the cooling fin set. The first cooler 14 has a plurality of opening holes 141 for being installed with the first heat pipes 15. The first cooler 14 and the first heat-emitting element 101 are located at the same side of the first graphic card 10, and the first cooler 14 is located in the receiving space A1 (referring to the FIG. 1).

Two ends of each of the first heat pipes 15 respectively form a heat-absorbing terminal 151 and a condensing terminal 152 (referring to the FIG. 2). The middle of the first cooling pipe 15 has a curved shape. The heat-absorbing terminal 151 plugs through the first base 12 so that the heat-absorbing terminal 151 is connected with the first heat-emitting element 101. The condensing terminal 152 plugs into the opening hole 141 of first cooler 14.

Reference is made to FIGS. 4 and 5. The center of the second metal plate 21 also has a through hole 211. The second metal plate 21 is installed at the front side of the second graphic card 20 for cooling the electronic components on the second graphic card 20.

The second base 22 is made of a heat-conductive metallic material. The second base 22 passes through the through hole 211 of the second metal plate 21 and pastes onto the surface of the second heat-emitting element 201.

The second covering board 23 is made of a metallic material, and is locked onto the second metal plate 21. The inner surface of the second covering board 23 contacts the surface of the second base 22 to fasten the second base 22.

In this embodiment, the second cooler 24 is a cooling fin set. However, it is not limited to the cooling fin set. The second cooler 24 has a plurality of opening holes 241 for being installed with the second heat pipes 25. The second cooler 24 and the second base 22 are respectively located at the two opposite sides of the second graphic card 20. The second cooler 24 is located in the receiving space Al and is adjacent to the first cooler 14 (referring to the FIG. 1).

The second heat pipes 25 are curved and disposed on the second graphic card 20. Two ends of each of the second heat pipes 25 respectively form a heat-absorbing terminal 251 and a condensing terminal 252. The heat-absorbing terminal 251 plugs through the second base 22 so that the heat-absorbing terminal 251 is connected with the second heat-emitting element 201. The condensing terminal 252 extends into the receiving space Al and plugs into the opening hole 241 of second cooler 24 (referring to the FIG. 1).

When the first heat-emitting element 101 and the second heat-emitting element 201 generates heat due to the operation of the first graphic card 10 and the second graphic card 20, the present invention uses the first base 12 and the second base 22 to absorb the heat generated by the first heat-emitting element 101 (referring to the FIG. 2) and the second heat-emitting element 201 (referring to the FIG. 4), and delivers the heat to the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24 that are located side by side in the receiving space Al via the first heat pipes 15 and the second heat pipes 25. Thereby, the separating space (the receiving space Al) between the first graphic card 10 and the second graphic card 20 is fully utilized. The required area is not increased to exhaust the heat.

Furthermore, the condensing terminals 252 of the second heat pipes 25 (referring to the FIG. 4) also can be directly plugged into the first cooler 14 (not shown in the figure). Therefore, the second cooler 24 is omitted so that quantity of the elements is reduced to reduce the cost.

In above embodiment, the heat-absorbing terminals 151, 251 of the first cooling pipe 15 and the second cooling pipe 25 are respectively plugged into the first base 12 and the second base 22 to connect the two heat-emitting elements 101, 201 via the two base 12, 22, but is not limited to above. Alternatively, the heat-absorbing terminals 151, 251 of the first cooling pipe 15 and the second cooling pipe 25 are directly pasted onto the two heat-emitting elements 101, 201 to absorb the generated heat.

Reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 7, which show the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the second embodiment of the present invention. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards further includes a cooling fan 41. In this embodiment, the cooling fan 41 is a centrifugal fan, but is not limited to above. The cooling fan 41 also can be an axial flow fan (as shown in FIG. 8), a cross flow fan, or other types. The cooling fan 41 is located at the same side of both the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24. Blowing by the cooling fan 41, the heat absorbed by the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24 is exhausted to outside of the computer system (not shown in the figure). Of course, the installation location of the cooling fan 41 is not limited to above. The cooling fan 41 and the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24 can be located at any side of the two graphic cards 10, 20.

Reference is made to FIG. 8, which shows the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is:

The cooling fan 41 is an axial flow fan. A hollow air-guiding cover 51 is installed between the cooling fan 41 and the side of the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24 so that the air exhausted by the cooling fan 41 is guided to the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24 for rapidly exhausting the heat.

Reference is made to FIG. 9, which shows the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment is:

The third graphic card 30 is located at the front side of the first graphic card 10 and the second graphic card 20 in parallel. The second graphic card 20 is located between the first graphic card 10 and the third graphic card 30. The side of the third graphic card 30 that is far away the second receiving space A2 has a third heat-emitting element (not shown in the figure). A first receiving space A1 is formed between the first graphic card 10 and the second graphic card 20, and a second receiving space A2 is formed between the second graphic card 20 and the third graphic card 30.

The cooling apparatus for graphic cards further includes a third metal plate 31, a third base 32, a third covering board 33, a third cooler 34, and a plurality of third heat pipes 35. The third metal plate 31 is installed at the front side of the third graphic card 30. The third base 32 is pasted onto the third heat-emitting element. The third covering board 33 is locked onto the third metal plate 31 and contacts the surface of the third base 32. The third cooler 34 has a plurality of opening holes 341, and the third cooler 34 and the third base 32 are located at the two opposite sides of the third graphic card 30. The third cooler 34 is located in the second receiving space A2. The third heat pipes 35 are curved and disposed on the third graphic card 30. The third cooling pipe 25 has a heat-absorbing terminal 351 (not shown in the figure) that plugs into the third base 32 for connecting the third heat-emitting element 301, and a condensing terminal 352 (not shown in the figure) that extends into the second receiving space A2 and plugs into the opening hole 341 of the third cooler 34.

In this embodiment, part of the second heat pipes 25 a are curved and disposed on the second graphic card 20, and the condensing terminals 252 extend into the first receiving space A1 and plug into the opening holes 241 of the second heat pipes 24. The condensing terminals 252 of the other second heat pipes 25 b extend through the third cooler 34. Thereby, the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24 are located in the first receiving space A1 and the third cooler 34 is located in the second receiving space A2. The heat of both heat-emitting elements is simultaneously exhausted and the required space is reduced.

Similarly, the condensing terminals 252 of the second heat pipes 25 also can be directly plugged into the first cooler 14 (not shown in the figure). Therefore, the second cooler 24 is omitted so that quantity of the elements is reduced.

Furthermore, the cooling apparatus for graphic cards also can be installed with a cooling fan at the same side of the first cooler 14, the second cooler 24 and the third cooler 34 to blow the three coolers 14, 24, 34.

Alternatively, the same side of the first cooler 14 and the second cooler 24 and the side of the third cooler 34 are respectively installed with a cooling fan.

When the computer system is installed with a plurality of graphic cards, the cooling apparatus for graphic cards of the present invention has curved heat pipes at one end of the graphic card so that the base and the cooler are respectively located at the two opposite sides of the graphic card. The heat pipes deliver the heat absorbed by the base to the cooler. Because the coolers are located in the separating space between the graphic cards, the graphic cards are both cooled. The required space for the cooling apparatus is reduced, without increasing the dimension. The available space in the computer space is large.

The description above only illustrates specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims. 

1. A cooling apparatus for graphic cards, used for a first graphic card and a second graphic card that are disposed in parallel, wherein there is a receiving space between the first graphic card and the second graphic card, one side of the first graphic card that is adjacent to the receiving space has a first heat-emitting element, and one side of the second graphic card that is far away the receiving space has a second heat-emitting element, comprising: a first cooler located in the receiving space, wherein the first cooler and the first heat-emitting element are located at the same side of the first graphic card; a plurality of first heat pipes, wherein each of the first heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal, the heat-absorbing terminal is connected to the first heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal plugs into the first cooler; and a plurality of second heat pipes curved and disposed over one end of the second graphic card, wherein each of the second heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal, the heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the second heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal plugs into the receiving space.
 2. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first base and a second base, wherein the first base and the second base are respectively located on the first heat-emitting element and the second heat-emitting element, and the heat-absorbing terminals of the first heat pipes and the second heat pipes are respectively plugged into the first base and the second base.
 3. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a first metal plate, a first cover board, a second metal plate and a second covering board, wherein the first metal plate and the second metal plate are respectively installed on the first graphic card and the second graphic card, the first cover board and the second cover board are respectively assembled on the first metal plate and the second metal plate, and inner surfaces of the first cover board and the second cover board contact surfaces of the first base and the second base.
 4. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a second cooler, wherein the second cooler and the second base are respectively located on two opposite sides of the second graphic card, the second cooler is located in the receiving space adjacent to the first cooler, and the condensing terminals of the second heat pipes are extended through the second cooler.
 5. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan is located at same side of both the first cooler and the second cooler.
 6. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 5, wherein a hollow air-guiding mask is installed between the cooling fan and the sides of the first cooler and the second cooler.
 7. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 1, wherein the condensing terminals of the second heat pipes extend through the first cooler.
 8. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan is located at one side of the first cooler.
 9. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan is located at one side of the first cooler.
 10. A cooling apparatus for graphic cards, used for a first graphic card, a second graphic card and a third graphic card that are disposed in parallel, wherein the second graphic card is located between the first graphic card and the third graphic card, there is a first receiving space between the first graphic card and the second graphic card, a second receiving space between the second graphic card and the third graphic card, one side of the first graphic card that is adjacent to the first receiving space has a first heat-emitting element, one side of the second graphic card that is far away the first receiving space has a second heat-emitting element, one side of the third graphic card that is far away the second receiving space has a third heat-emitting element, comprising: a first cooler located in the first receiving space, wherein the first cooler and the first heat-emitting element are located at the same side of the first graphic card; a plurality of first heat pipes, wherein each of the first heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal, the heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the first heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal plugs into the first cooler; a third cooler, wherein the third cooler and a third base are respectively located at two opposite sides of the third graphic card, and the third cooler is located in the second receiving space; a plurality of third heat pipes curved and disposed over one end of the third graphic card, wherein each of the third heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal, the heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the third heat-emitting element, and the condensing terminal extends into the second receiving space and extends through the third cooler; and a plurality of second heat pipes, wherein each of the second heat pipes has a heat-absorbing terminal and a condensing terminal, the heat-absorbing terminal is connected with the second heat-emitting element, parts of the second heat pipes are curved and disposed over one end of the second graphic card and the condensing terminals of the parts of the second heat pipes plug into the first receiving space, and the condensing terminals of the other second heat pipes extend through the third cooler.
 11. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a first base, a second base and a third base, wherein the first base, the second base and the third base are respectively located on the first heat-emitting element, the second heat-emitting element and the third heat-emitting element, and the heat-absorbing terminals of the first heat pipes, the second heat pipes and the third heat pipes are respectively extends through the first base, the second base and the third base.
 12. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a first metal plate, a first cover board, a second metal plate, a second covering board, a third metal plate and a third cover board, wherein the first metal plate, the second metal plate and the third metal plate are respectively installed on the first graphic card, the second graphic card and the third graphic card, the first cover board, the second cover board and the third over board are respectively assembled on the first metal plate, the second metal plate and the third metal plate, and inner surfaces of the first cover board, the second cover board and the third cover board contact surfaces of the first base, the second base and the third base, respectively.
 13. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a second cooler, wherein the second cooler and the second base are respectively located at two opposite sides of the second graphic card, the second cooler is located in the receiving space adjacent to the first cooler, and the condensing terminals of the second heat pipes extend through the second cooler.
 14. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan is located at the same side of the first cooler, the second cooler and the third cooler.
 15. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 13, further comprising two cooling fans, wherein one of the two cooling fans is located at the same side of the first cooler and the second cooler, and the other cooling fan is located at one side of the third cooler.
 16. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 10, wherein the condensing terminals of the second heat pipes extend through the first cooler.
 17. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan is located at one side of the first cooler.
 18. The cooling apparatus for graphic cards as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a cooling fan, wherein the cooling fan is located at one side of the first cooler. 